Farhan Akhtar Says Actors Leaving Films Is a ‘Pattern Nowadays’: Ranveer Singh’s Don 3 Exit Gets a Fresh Twist

While recalling the making of Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar spoke about an actor nearly leaving the film just weeks before filming — and his remark about a “pattern nowadays” has once again put Ranveer Singh’s Don 3 exit under the spotlight.

Farhan Akhtar has seemingly added a new layer to the long-running Don 3 controversy.

While reflecting on the making of his debut directorial Dil Chahta Hai, the filmmaker and actor spoke about the uncertainty that can arise when an actor backs out of a project close to its shooting schedule. His comments, although he did not name anyone, immediately reminded many of Ranveer Singh and his reported exit from Don 3.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India as Dil Chahta Hai completed 25 years, Farhan recalled how Saif Ali Khan had almost left the 2001 film because of a scheduling problem with another project.

According to Farhan, Saif was caught between conflicting dates and eventually had to consider leaving the film. The situation left the filmmaker deeply worried because he felt nobody else could have played the role of Akash.

Farhan said the situation happened roughly a month before filming and described it as “too heartbreaking” for him.

He then added a line that caught attention: “which seems to be a pattern nowadays.”

Farhan followed it with a light-hearted, “Not just with me. Aisa bhi hota hai.”

He did not mention Ranveer Singh or Don 3 by name. However, given the history surrounding the film, the comment has inevitably been interpreted by many as a possible indirect reference to Ranveer’s reported departure.

Farhan Akhtar on learning to ‘expect the unexpected’

The Don 3 saga has been one of the more talked-about casting controversies in Bollywood, and Farhan has previously acknowledged that the experience changed his approach to filmmaking.

Discussing the uncertainties surrounding the project, Farhan said that one of the biggest lessons he had learned was to “expect the unexpected.”

The filmmaker explained that things cannot always be taken for granted until they actually make it to the screen. He also acknowledged that every filmmaker eventually encounters difficult periods, both creatively and personally.

For someone who has worked across acting, directing, writing and production, Farhan’s comments reflect the unpredictable nature of the Hindi film industry, where a single change in dates or casting can have a domino effect on an entire production.

What happened between Ranveer Singh and Don 3?

Ranveer Singh was announced as the new face of the Don franchise after Shah Rukh Khan stepped away from the series. Farhan Akhtar was set to return as director, with Excel Entertainment backing the project.

However, the film became embroiled in controversy after Ranveer reportedly exited the project close to its planned shooting schedule in 2025.

The fallout reportedly resulted in a dispute involving Ranveer and Excel Entertainment, with compensation and industry-level intervention becoming part of the story. A temporary non-cooperation directive issued against the actor was subsequently revoked.

The dispute has continued to attract attention because Don 3 was expected to be one of Bollywood’s biggest franchise projects.

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Ranveer reportedly offered compensation

The controversy took another turn when Poonam Dhillon, president of the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), spoke about the matter.

In an interview with Free Press Journal, Dhillon said Ranveer was justified in offering compensation after leaving the film. She also praised the actor for reportedly returning his signing amount and offering compensation for losses incurred during the project’s preparation.

Dhillon also pointed out that lead actors can have legitimate concerns about a film’s script and casting because they ultimately have to face the audience if the finished project fails to connect.

Ranveer was reported to have offered around ₹10 crore in compensation and returned his reported signing amount.

Why the Don 3 controversy refuses to disappear

The debate surrounding Don 3 has remained alive partly because of Ranveer’s subsequent success.

Dhurandhar, which arrived in December 2025, went on to become a major box-office success, reportedly crossing ₹1,300 crore worldwide. Its sequel, released in March, performed even better, with reported worldwide earnings of more than ₹1,800 crore.

That success has naturally intensified public curiosity around what could have happened had Ranveer continued with Don 3.

For now, Farhan has not explicitly said that his “pattern nowadays” remark was aimed at Ranveer. The connection remains an interpretation based on the timing and circumstances surrounding the two projects.

Still, the comment has reopened a chapter that Bollywood clearly has not forgotten.

And with Don 3 still surrounded by uncertainty, Farhan’s seemingly casual “Aisa bhi hota hai” has given the old controversy a fresh talking point.